2027 Best Value Physical Education Associate’s Degree Schools
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 106 schools to find the best return on investment for physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among physical education schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $17,075. Physical Education graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Shasta College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $4,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $22,699. Set against $4,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #4. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the physical education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Skyline College came in at #6 for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College landed the #7 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #8 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $8,098. Early-career physical education graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #9 for value in physical education this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $11,306. Physical Education graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #10 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $10,288. Early-career physical education graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College placed #11 among the best values for physical education. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons earned the #12 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College came in at #13 for value in physical education this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $6,000. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College came in at #14 for value in physical education this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
West Valley College earned the #15 position for value in physical education this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #17 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $5,500. Early-career physical education graduates make about $21,750. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Antelope Valley College came in at #18 for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
Modesto Junior College came in at #19 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #20 for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College placed #21 among the best values for physical education. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Las Positas College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Imperial Valley College earned the #23 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $6,176. Early-career physical education graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College Fresno came in at #24 for value in physical education this year. Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638.
Utah Valley University landed the #25 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $15,252. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $31,905. Set against $15,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical education this year:
Other Physical Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value physical education schools at other degree levels:
View All Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 106 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
